These comments are responses
to the questions listed below,
which were generated in regard to the Larry Shellito
Interview of 08-03-2012.

Overview

Larry Shellito,
Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, paints
a picture of serious problems facing returning veterans and argues
that readjusting to civilian life, not finding jobs, is the greatest
problem. He says Minnesota has been more proactive than most states in
helping both deployed troops and their families and returning vets,
but more needs to be done. He closes the discussion with concerns
about the impact of likely forthcoming military downsizing on programs
and services for veterans.

Response Summary:
Readers have been asked to rate, on a scale of (0) most disagreement,
to (5) neutral, to (10) most agreement, the following points discussed
by
CommissionerShellito.
Average response ratings shown below are simply the mean of all
readers’ zero-to-ten responses to the ideas proposed and should not be
considered an accurate reflection of a scientifically structured poll.

2. Service record
hidden. (5.6
average response) Nevertheless,
fears of job discrimination against military veterans are real. Some
job-seeking vets, fearing employers would regard their military
service negatively, choose to keep such information out of their
resumes.

3. Job search
skills training offered. (7.8
average response) Some major
employers in Minnesota are performing a valuable service to returning
vets by offering special classes on how to apply for jobs and how to
conduct themselves in interviews.

4. Problem likely
to worsen. (8.1
average response) The magnitude of
the readjustment problem is likely to increase with a downsizing of
the Department of Defense.

5. Vet skills not
given credit. (7.3
average response) Some colleges and
universities don't give sufficient academic credit for skills that
vets have learned during deployment because the education system needs
the revenue from selling more college credits.

6. Local groups
should do more. (6.9
average response) Local chapters
of the VFW and American Legion should do more to help returning
veterans in their own communities become readjusted to civilian life.

6. Local groups
should do more.
VFW's and American Legions should be provided financial resources.

7. Additional
efforts unwarranted.
Our elected leaders should be required to fund Veteran's assistance
(and the fighting) with a tax increase when they enter into war and
skirmishes so the costs of war are paid currently and not in the
future. Federal, state and local governments should all have mandatory
Veteran's hiring requirements. National Guard and Reserve troops
should not be sent to fight unless their is a declared war and the
draft is applied. In addition, there needs to be limits on the
frequency they are sent into combat.

Ray
Ayotte (10) (10) (10) (10) (5) (7.5) (0)

Anonymous (7.5) (5) (7.5) (7.5) (10) (7.5) (0)

Virginia Eernisse (5) (10) (5) (10) (10) (7.5) (0)

1. Readjustment
more important.
You need both, and the place to find some natural support for them is
on the job. If the only support you get for your needs is "paid"
support then you are not really getting you needs met, but are a
commodity.

2. Service record
hidden.
While the employers that I know "tout" their support of the returning
troops, it is mostly lip service, and they do not want to take on that
"burden" (actually called it that in private). But on the other hand
if you do not tell them that you know how to do X job they will want
to know where you learned it so...always unintended consequences. I
do not see this as either-or but good for some and bad for some.

3. Job search
skills training offered.
This is full employment for non-vets, mostly in an educational setting
where the employer pays for their tuition and probably gets a tax
credit of some kind. Although, I do know of one that actually trained
displaced workers (not vets) on the job and kept them as employees.
Of course that was 15 years ago. These folks are usually associated
with an education program and, like any program, it does not work.
Most people get their jobs by hearing from friends and families and
knowing how is not the same thing as actually applying. Many of these
folks with TBI will not succeed with "train/place" but could with
"place/train" and a program similar to job coaching that can be handed
over to a co-worker later.

4. Problem likely
to worsen.
Nowhere to go but up.

5. Vet skills not
given credit.
The Public and Private University systems could do something to see
that students like the tanker driver are given credit, but the flip
side of that coin is that they would have to share their record with
the school. While an employer should not ask about their military
service if they do not want to share it they can hardly get by without
it. "Previous jobs?"

6. Local groups
should do more.
I believe that each group is unique in every community. The VFW
is/was the only legal place to get a drink in my "dry" county in Texas
for many years. Sometimes that nurtures the self-medication that many
traumatized vets gravitate to, while neglecting their other
responsibilities. Sort of the local beer joint (with mixed drinks)
where they talk about the same thing day in and day out. More talk and
no walk.

7. Additional
efforts unwarranted.
I believe that all you really need to know you learned in kindergarten
about right and wrong. If you messed it up you clean it up. I bet
few of these vets, especially the younger ones, had a clue what war
was that was not on TV. Our President got us in this war and he
certainly was a part of the (government) and the (government) needs to
be involved in cleaning it up.

Dave
Broden (10) (5) (10) (7.5) (10) (10) (0)

1. Readjustment
more important.
Certainly the whole life experience must be the focus. The family, the
community, and the workplace. Too often we focus on only one. The
discussion of how to fit the pieces together for the adjustment and
integration back into a seamless life with all is critical, and it
requires the participation of all citizens.

2. Service record
hidden.
Business initiatives are increasing the focus on welcoming vets to the
workplace. The military is also helping to break the negative. Hiding
the veteran status is an unfortunate side of the issue that must be
broken by the public, business, and the individual involved. The
negative must and can be made a positive.

3. Job search
skills training offered.
Rather than say “some” we must say many and an increasing number of
not only companies, but education organizations (and) business
organizations (e.g. chambers of commerce, unions etc.) Building public
support and participation in the process is a component that can grow
and strengthen the opportunities for the vets.

4. Problem likely
to worsen.
This is an interesting subject. Downsizing of the Department of
Defense and related industries is one side; the other is the side of
Veterans Affairs, a separate but related organization, and also the
role of the Departments of Labor, Commerce, and Education. Further
this must be both a federal and state topic--even local. There might
even be an argument that it will improve as the Department of Defense
shrinks and the focus is more in integration of veterans into society
and the workplace.

5. Vet skills not
given credit.
This is a key point--education is often far too much focused on the
revenue side rather than the competency and capability side. This may
open opportunities for added focus in the education community on
skills and where they fit vs. just revenue and grades. Providing
courses that build and expand the competency of vets for the workplace
opportunities can be a plus for education, value, business, and the
vet.

6. Local groups
should do more.
Local community participation in the integration role should be a
focus. There is however an issue of whether in today’s world do
organizations such as VFW or Legion etc., have a role, are they
accepted and more importantly can they or do they have the
understanding to be of assistance vs., (be) just a social club. Some
incentives to these organizations to play a more active role should be
considered.

7. Additional
efforts unwarranted.
Service to the country must remain a commitment that an individual
makes that gets a thank-you and reward from all citizens--it is a
strength of the US and particularly as we have an all-volunteer force.
The efforts on behalf of vets not only serve the vets but build an
environment of concern and recognition of the overall economic issue
and will offer related opportunities and resources for all citizens.

Don
Anderson (10) (5) (10) (7.5) (7.5) (5) (5)

1. Readjustment
more important.
Military life is entirely different from civilian life, and given the
atmosphere the returning vet comes home to, i.e., a negative view from
civilians who haven't experienced the recent war activity, it does
make for a major adjustment.

3. Job search
skills training offered.
A very good service.

5. Vet skills not
given credit.
Military skills are the same in many ways as civilian skills and a
veteran doesn't always receive the proper credit.

6. Local groups
should do more.
Unfortunately many local chapters are having a hard time existing with
decreased membership as the older veterans die off and can't do much
to help.

Peter Hennessey (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5)

1. Readjustment
more important.
It would useful to see some statistics on this. Certainly in this age
of the all-volunteer military, service is a career choice. And
adjustment to any sort of a career change is always very difficult.

2. Service record
hidden.
Greatly depends on the employer and the applicant's qualification.
Certainly there is little in the civilian economy that provides
opportunity to people with only combat experience. But employers (in)
Silicon Valley very highly value technicians who are graduates of the
Navy electronics school and have service experience.

3. Job search
skills training offered.
Veterans are not the only ones who benefit from such help.

4. Problem likely
to worsen.
Well, in terms of numbers, yes. In terms of the impact on individuals,
it depends on the specifics of each case.

5. Vet skills not
given credit.
That sounds so cynical. More likely it is the result from a lack of
understanding or appreciation of the kind and amount of training the
veteran had received, and how it translates to academic courses. You
can always see if you can get credit for a course by taking an exam.

6. Local groups
should do more.
I am sure they are doing a lot and still feel they should do more.

7. Additional
efforts unwarranted.
Like I said, in this age of the all-volunteer military, service is a
career choice. We are not discussing draftees here who can hardly wait
to get out and resume their normal lives, but face a hostile
environment, like the Viet Nam vets did. Many serve because they feel
a calling; many serve for the training they expect to get in some
useful trade or profession. The civilian economy owes it to everybody
to make entry into the workforce or a career change as easy as
possible, but applicants owe it to themselves to acquire the skills
they need. People hire you to do a job they need to be done, not to
give you a paycheck just because you need it. And you can always start
a business and look for clients and customers, not employers.

1. Readjustment
more important.
The toughest thing about being in a combat zone is coming home and
trying to fit back into your family and society. Of course a job helps
that painful, stressful process. Many vets can't wait to get back to
combat.

6. Local groups
should do more.
There needs to be a "Union" of all entities offering veteran's
resources. Many veterans don't know where to turn for help. The VFW,
American Legion, DAV, et al., need to work together to bring this
about. The government needs to look at the outsourcing of veteran's
services to meet their overwhelming needs.

Mark
Ritchie (na) (na) (na) (na) (na) (na) (na)

Great summary,
thanks!

Terry Stone (5) (5) (5) (8) (5) (5) (3)

Sixty-one
veteran’s bills were introduced by this legislature. The last
legislature dealt with 117 veteran’s bills. These bills seem
uncoordinated and more intended to pander to the veteran vote than an
effort to help veterans.

Kevin Edberg (8) (7) (5) (7) (8) (5) (2)

7. Additional
efforts unwarranted.
The American public, through its Commander in Chief and with
authorization of Congress, called on Americans to take on these most
horrific duties in service of our nation. The "costs of war" have
never been sufficiently paid for, but especially in this new age of
warfare, the on-going costs of care for surviving and wounded military
are the obligation of the entire nation, and "We the People" have not
yet lived up to the conversation of properly taxing ourselves to pay
for the services that this group of citizens have earned through their
service to the nation. On a broader note, I am heartened that the
Governor has found someone with the qualities of Gen. Shellito to lead
the state agency in charge of these efforts.

Tom
Swain (5) (5) (7) (7) (5) (8) (2)

Carolyn Ring (8) (5) (10) (8) (6) (8) (7)

Lyall Schwarzkopf (6) (4) (7) (8) (8) (9) (5)

Tom Spitznagle (8) (5) (8) (6) (8) (3) (0)

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